Provision, Protection and Guidance

Father God we just ask you right now for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You. Help us Father God to better discern Your Spirit that is working in our lives through your Son.

The Spirit of the Lord was with the children of Israel in the wilderness when they were living in tents around the mishkan, the tabernacle. By night the Holy Spirit manifested over the tabernacle as a pillar of fire. During the day, the Spirit of God took the form of a glory cloud. The Bible tells us, in Numbers chapter 9, that when the Spirit of the Lord stopped, either in the form of fire or a cloud, the children of Israel would stop, and they would camp there. But whenever the Spirit of the Lord lifted, when either the fire or the cloud began to move, they would take up camp and follow the Spirit.

The Israelites never knew when the cloud or fire were going to move. Sometimes it was two days, sometimes two months, or sometimes even two years. They had to keep their eyes on God’s Spirit and obey.

Beloved, think about it. If the fire or the cloud were stationary over the tabernacle, but the Israelites got antsy and they decided on their own to move without the fire or cloud going before them—what would have happened? They would have died in the wilderness and fallen short of the Promise Land because there would not have been any provision, protection or direction for them anymore. Conversely, if the Spirit of the Lord moved and they said: “We’re comfortable here, we like this spot, we like this place, we’re not going to move—we are staying here.” Then, if the Spirit of the Lord moved and they did not follow, what would have happened? They would have also died in the wilderness because there would have been no food/water, safeguard or guidance there from God. Not only that—they would have missed their destiny!

It is the same for each of us today. God still desires to direct our path. Instead of a pillar of fire or a cloud, He has placed His Spirit inside us. But are we following? Are we paying attention to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit who is leading us? Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, our provision, protection and guidance comes from the Lord when we are obedient to Him.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak…” John 16:13